Alabama offense comes alive vs. South Dakota State – WVUA 23

By WVUA Sports reporter Hunter Brantley

Coming into the weekend, Alabama’s offense was sputtering. The Crimson Tide began the season only shooting 31 percent from thee point range.

That changed in big way on Sunday, in a 105-82 win over South Dakota State.

Senior Grant Nelson got the scoring going, as the Devils Lake, N.D. native recorded the first eight points of the game for the Tide and finished the game with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Sophomore transfer Aden Holloway had his best game of the season, scoring 26 points off the bench while making 8 three-pointers in the win.

“It’s kind of crazy, because (Alabama coach Nate Oats) gets mad when I don’t shoot and that throws me off,” Holloway said. “I just take a second to just like be thankful and go out and play and do what we do. I’m grateful that he instills confidence in me and lets me play my game.”

Prolific guard Labaron Philon also dropped a season high, the freshmen concluded the game with 21 points, five rebounds and six assists to earn him SEC Freshman of the Week honors for the second time this season.

“Obviously, maybe a surprise to the public, but we kind of knew within the program based on play in the summer how good Labaron has been. He’s been really good in the games too,” Oats said.

Another developing story that transpired on Sunday was forward Derrion Reid missing the game with an ankle injury.

“He’s got an ankle injury that he sustained in practice two days ago. Little bit of a flare-up from a summer injury. We’re hoping that clears up quickly and he can practice by the middle of the week, get him ready for Oklahoma,” Oats said.

No. 5 Alabama will be in action on Saturday as they host No. 12 Oklahoma in its SEC opener. The game is set to tip off at 5 P.M on SEC Network.